July Outings

Matt, Emma, and I headed down to the Utah State Fair Park for the Days of 47 Rodeo.  Yeehaw! It was fun!  It was all entertaining, but our fav events were the bareback bronc riding and the mutton busting with adorable kiddos hanging on for dear life.  We left around 10:15, so we missed the bull riding competion, although we did see one high school cowboy show off his bull riding skills right before we left.  It was a warm night with the gorgeous Utah mountains in the background.  Loved it.  We might have to make it an annual tradition for us and whomever is in town and wants a little western fun.

While Emma was in St. George with her cousin Bailey and my parents, Matt and I decided to take a scenic drive over Guardsman Pass.  It begins up Big Cottonwood Canyon near Brighton and cuts up and over the mountain and comes out the other side in the little town of Midway.  It's so beautiful up there.  I took a couple pics that aren't really that great, but at least it will remind us of this little day trip.  We ate lunch at a mexican restaurant that was just okay.  Nothing special.  Then we came home through Provo Canyon.  I love to be with my man.

A couple of days later, we went up to Bingham Copper Mine.  Matt had never been up there before to see the pit, but I've been there once about 14 years ago.  Six years ago, there was a massive landslide that destroyed the visitor center and part of the mine itself.  They finally reopened to the public this spring, but now you have to take their shuttle bus service up to the new viewing area.  It's pretty impressive for sure!  We stayed long enough to read about the mine's history and purpose and to watch the massively huge trucks carrying their loads up and down and all over the mine.

Wedding Day

We haven't received the pictures from the photographer of Josh and Megan after their wedding at the Logan Temple.  But here are some pics from their lovely luncheon and reception that afternoon and evening.

Family and the Fourth of July

July 4th fun started on July 3rd when the West Bountiful fireworks show is put on at the city park that is near Eric and Lucile's house.  Matt's brother, Alex and family, were in town for over a week, so we got to visit with them there as well as most of his other family members.  We always sit around in a big circle to talk and eat food from the food trucks.  Every year the same band plays and sings Beach Boys and Beatles music.  It's fun to listen to for about an hour, and then we wish they'd call it quits. The fireworks are always good especially for our little nieces and nephews.  I only took two pics of a handful of people.  Bummer.

Even though Matt would be at work until 5:30, I invited my family (those who live here in Utah) to come over to our house at noon on the 4th of July for a bbq.  I grilled some yummy chicken for them and sliced up some juicy watermelon, and they brought salad, chips and guac, and festively decorated rice krispie treats.  A storm was brewing, so the temperature stayed low and clouds blocked the afternoon sun, as we sat and chatted and played cornhole in the backyard.  We had put up our old camping awning over our patio table because we thought it would be super hot and sunny back there.  We really need to get a pergola built.  Just as we were finishing up, the rain started.  I'm so glad we had our get together on the early side of the day because it poured all the rest of the afternoon.  It cleared up in time for all the firework festivities later that night.  Matt and I skipped out on watching them other than looking out our bedroom window where we could see many around the valley.

What's a 4th of July without baseball?  After a bbq at Jed's house, the Eastman clan went to a Bees game together on July 5th. We sat on the grassy hill in the outfield.  Not my favorite place to watch a game, but we knew it would be easier on the little kids.  The sun was shining bright in our eyes for a good portion of the game, but it was still fun! Josh and Megan came down from Logan to be with us.  This was Megan's first time meeting most of the extended family.  Most of these pics were taken by my sister in law, Sarah, who lives in Boston.  Thanks Sarah!  It sure was great to be with their family and see how their kids are growing up.